Brooke's eyes skimmed the paper for what seemed like the hundredth time. She read the few words over and over, sighing as it still wasn't too her satisfaction. She had been working on that damned letter for hours and she wanted desperately to say the words the right way. It just wasn't working out. Shaking her head she contemplated just giving it up completely. Then her attention turned over to the corner and the smiling eyes and happy gurgling baby that played in her bouncy seat. It truly melted Brooke's heart every time her seven month old daughter smiled at her and this time was no exception. She knew what she had to do so picked up her pen and a fresh sheet of stationary. Five long minutes later and no closer to a beginning than she had been all morning, it was a relief when the phone rang. Saved by the bell, she thought to herself as she picked it up without even bothering to check the Caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Brooke? Hey…it's me. It's Peyton."

Brooke felt a chill run through her body upon hearing the voice of a woman she had considered one of her very best friends.

"Hey", she responded in a rather flat voice.

"I…I just wanted to call and check on you and see how you were doing after everything", Peyton nervously offered.

"I'm fine. Just spending some time with my daughter."

The words of her last sentence were audibly tension laced.

"That's good. I…I'm glad. Um, listen, Brooke, I just wanted to apologize to you. I'm really sorry for not being a better friend and for not standing up for you when I should have."

"Yet another heart filled apology", Brooke rolled her eyes. "I was wondering when I'd hear yours. Trust me, I've heard from everyone else and it's all the same old song and dance. Yes I believe you're really sorry and I know that night was a crazy and weird and really emotional situation but it's no excuse."

"I know", Peyton agreed sadly.

"We've known each other practically our whole lives. No matter your flaws or your moods or what difficult times you might go through, I know that Peyton Sawyer is honest, loyal and has a heart of absolute gold. Those three things will never change. And if the situation were reversed and God forbid something happened to Jenny and it looked like you intentionally neglected or hurt her, no matter how bad it looked, no matter how guilty you may appear, there is no way I would ever do anything except support you and give you the benefit of the doubt. That's because I love you and more importantly I know you."

"You're right, Brooke. You are absolutely right. I admit I was confused and had my doubts at first when you got back to the house with Felix that night. If it helps, that doubt only lasted a few minutes but nevertheless there was doubt and I know you consider that betrayal. I should have been there for you. I could go on all day with apologies and excuses but I'll spare both of us the big groveling speech. Just know that I love you and I love Harmony and never once did I stop being your friend, Brooke. I hope you understand that and one day you forgive me but even if you can't, you're with your daughter now and that's the most important thing to me."

"I do forgive you, Pey."

"You…you do?"

"I forgave you a long time ago. Look, it's not about what you say, it's about what you do. And I know what you did…you and Gordon and Mom. I know how you tried to see me at the police station that night with Nathan and Haley and Karen and I also know how you guys basically solved the puzzle about what happened. If it hadn't been for you guys caring about me and wanting to help, then nobody ever would have figured out what Dan and Felix were up to. And I appreciate you going to Anna as well."

"Brooke, that means a lot. Really. You're my best friend…you always have been and you always will be. You have been through so much this past year and a half. I just want things to be better for you. God knows you deserve a break."

"You know, after Lucas cheated and I felt my whole world literally fall apart, I thought that God owed me, if you can believe that one. I really thought that I deserved good days for the rest of my life just to make up for that one really horrible one. But that wasn't the case, Pey. Sometimes things…well, they just happen. Talk about a real series of unfortunate events", she chuckled bitterly. "Anyway, all the drama and the pain and the turmoil have made me a stronger person. I don't like the way my life has been going and when you don't like something, what do you do? You make a change. You have to create and control your own destiny because no one else is going to do it for you. So I've done a lot of soul searching and I've made some decisions. I'm going to do what's best for me and my daughter."

"Well good for you", Peyton said. "I mean it, Brooke. Just know that there are a lot of people out there who care for you and Harmony. I'm one of them. I'm here for you and I always will be…no matter what."

Brooke felt surprisingly better after her phone conversation with Peyton. Feeling refreshed and inspired by just looking at her daughter gnaw mercilessly on a teething rattle, she picked up her pen and began to write as the words somehow magically flowed.

Dear Mom,

I'm writing this letter, I guess to say thanks and also a few other important things that may be hard to get out if we were face to face. But one day soon I do hope to see you in person and maybe we can talk and say all the things we should have said a long time ago. Maybe then we can truly heal because I for one am tired of hurting and I'm sure you are as well. I know what you and Peyton and Gordon did and I am eternally grateful. I know you came down to the station the night I was arrested and I know it was you who got the ball rolling and got everyone together in an effort to figure out what the hell was going on. Over the years I have had my complaints and my doubts but you really came through when I needed you most. And that makes me feel good, especially as I look at my own daughter (your precious little granddaughter). Because now I know what it's like to be a mother. To love another human being unconditionally and want to protect and guard their life with your own. You and Dad both made a lot of mistakes in the past and that really hurt me. This is the first time I have actually said that you hurt me instead of acting out or acting like I didn't care. But I did care and not acknowledging that pain has haunted me for years now. It affected girl I was, the woman I've become, my marriage and everything else in between. I won't get into all that now, I just hope we can talk and mend fences and finally move on. I don't want my past to be Harmony's future. So in closing, I will say what I can now (thank you) and what will take me a lifetime to express (I love you).

Sincerely,

Brooke

Brooke carefully folded the letter and inserted it into a stamped envelope. Her words were carefully thought out yet still short and straight to the point. She had meant what she said and for the first time in forever, there was hope of having a real mother daughter relationship with Mary. Sighing with contentment, she spent the next few hours with joy just watching her baby and counting her blessings. It was late afternoon when there was a knock at the door. Peering through the peephole, Brooke's heart skipped one beat when she recognized Gordon. They hadn't talked in over a month and a half and for Brooke that was a lifetime in itself.

"Gordon…um, come in."

He nodded and handed her a silk scarf.

"I borrowed this and I just wanted to return it", he said casually.

Brooke bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud. Gordon had borrowed that scarf…two years ago! Brooke had been asking for it back ever since and Gordon had steadfastly refused, claiming that it looked better on him anyway. And now there he was at her door. It was his way of trying to apologize but he was too cute not to make him suffer.

"Is that all?" she asked, pretending to be impatient.

"Yes…yes it is. I, uh, was just wondering how little Peace was doing…"

"It's Harmony."

"Same difference."

"She's fine."

"Good. Well, okay. I guess, I guess I'll be going."

He looked so pitiful at that moment and Brooke couldn't take it anymore.

"Get in here…Diva", she smiled.

"You mean it? You mean, I'm still your Diva?"

"Of course. You can't get rid of me that easily, you know. However, if you ever let me spend half the night in jail again, I will absolutely fucking kill you. Got it?"

He grabbed her and squeezed her with all his might.

"Oh Diva, I can't believe they put in the Big House. Hell, when they locked up Martha Stewart I guess we should have known it was downhill from there. Whoo child! But you know I was worried about you. Didn't want you to be scared or cold or hungry…or especially be in one of them ridiculous orange jumpsuits. That is not cute! Besides, you know how your skin gets in the wintertime and you can't wear certain colors without the proper toner."

"They let me keep my regular clothes, Gordie", she laughed.

"Thank God for Jesus. You in Uggs boots? Yeah, the fashion police should have locked your tail up but not Greenwich County. I'm sorry you had to go through all that."

"Yeah…me too."

"But the important thing is, you're out of jail and you're no longer a felon, you got your Baby Diva back and I heard about how you fixed old Dan Scott. Brilliant, child! He is a regular villain if I ever seen one."

"Yeah? And like every good storybook villain, he escaped his punishment. All that illegal stuff we had over him didn't hold up in court just like the bastard said. He weaseled his way out of it and unfortunately there are a lot of people willing to take the fall for his crimes."

"Sad! He is fine but I ain't trying to do ten to twenty for nobody. And what about Felix the Cat and the Nanny from Hell."

"They both skipped town."

"Well if they know what's good for them they'll keep their sorry selves out of sight for a long time to come. Now what about you? What's next for my Diva?"

"I don't know. I am going to resign from Sascha Naj…"

"Diva, no!"

"Come on, Gordie. After everything that's happened? We both know that's best for everyone involved. As of now, I've got lots more soul searching to do but I have nothing left to prove or fight for. All I want to do is kick back, relax and take care of me and my baby."